What Is Qbot Trojan
Qbot Trojan is one of the best known banking Trojan which has been used in more than a decade by different hacking groups. It is mainly delivered to the victims via virus-infected files and is always updated with new components. It can not only overtake control of the computers, but also hijack user data and commit dangerous actions on the hosts.
Qbot Trojan Summary
| Name | Qbot Trojan also known as Trojan.Qbot.A |
| Type | Trojan/Banking Trojan |
| Short Description | Aims to steal data from your computer and run different malware actions. |
| Symptoms | Your computer may behave strangely and new files may be dropped in several Windows Directories. |
| Distribution Method | Common infection methods including phishing messages and malware-infected files. |
| Detection Tool |
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Qbot Trojan – Virus Infection Methods
The Qbot banking Trojan is one of the most popular infections of this category of malware threats. As one of the oldest and most widely used viruses it has been used by many hacking groups around the world over the years. Qbot is best known for receiving constant updates and modifications to its core all the time. For this reason computer security researchers tend to focus on the current iterations when describing it.
The current attack is focused on using an updated distribution technique. The new Trojan engine is now programmed to hijack Microsoft Outlook email threads with the intention of creating and personalizing phishing email messages. The start of the campaign appears to be in March this year and continues to this day, so far 100,000 victims have been targeted in the USA, Italy, India and Israel.
The first detected instances of Qbot were detected back in 2008, the threat it also known as Qakbot among the security community. Current versions are very likely to spread using the Emotet malware. It is one of the most common infection vectors especially for Trojan threats and email SPAM messages. The Qbot-infected virus messages contains URLs or ZIP archives that all include Visual Basic Scripts which serve as the initial payload carriers. When the associated files are run the built-in code will trigger the virus deployment. The malware will be downloaded from a hardcoded URL contained in the script.
At the moment Qbot/Qakbot is being sent to the target users by relying on phishing messages related to the COVID-19 pandemic, tax payment reminders and job recruitment offers and procedures. The majority of attacks are against companies and organizations which are located in the United States of America and Europe.
Qbot Trojan – Virus Capabilities
The Qbot Trojan will start by running an email collector module — it will locate the locally installed Microsoft Outlook client and extract all email threads. They will be collected in a batch which will be sent to the hackers and reused in further email SPAM campaigns. This means that any further messages which are sent by hackers will appear as organic replies in their inboxes. In practice this will make differentiating between the legitimate and phishing content very difficult.
While the main Trojan engine is configured to take over control of the machines as well as steal any user and system files the recent updates to Qbot/Qakbot also add in other capabilities. Some of the added new modules include the following:
- Information Retrieval — The main engine can command a component to steal device information including sensitive users data and machine metrics. This can include the scanning of locally installed applications data which may contain sensitive users data: web browsers, email clients and password managers. The target data includes also email and web services login information and payment card details.
- Malware Installation — The Trojan can be used as payload carrier for other types of viruses. The most common ones which are delivered using such methods are file encrypting ransomware. They are designed to infiltrate the machines and process users data with a special cipher. The data types which are to be affected will be chosen from a built-in list of extensions. The processed data will renamed with a special extension and therefore made inaccessible to the computer owners. Ransomware notes or other means will be used to manipulate the victims into paying the hackers a designated decryption fee.
- Banking Trojan activities — This is one of the most important modules which have been integrated into the malware threat. It will monitor the users behavior and if they access an online bank or financial service a phishing overlay will be started. This means that every inserted character will be sent to the hackers which will allow them to take over control of the posted accounts. An alternative is the uploading of a keylogger script which will constantly keep record the keyboard input and mouse movement of the users. This is done in order to capture any entered in two-factor authentication codes.Banking Trojan activities — This is one of the most important modules which have been integrated into the malware threat. It will monitor the users behavior and if they access an online bank or financial service a phishing overlay will be started. This means that every inserted character will be sent to the hackers which will allow them to take over control of the posted accounts. An alternative is the uploading of a keylogger script which will constantly keep record the keyboard input and mouse movement of the users. This is done in order to capture any entered in two-factor authentication codes.
Many of the recent versions have also been found to be compatible with virtual machine hosts which can include not only guest operating systems, but also sandbox environemnts and development tools. Given the circumstances that Qbot (Qakbot) is one of the most widely used tools for more than a decade now, more and more updates are expected to be implemented by various hacking groups. For this reason we strongly suggest that every computer user will install adequate malware protection suites. If you have been infected by the Qbot Trojan we recommend that you try our removal instructions below.
Qbot Trojan – Virus Removal GUIDE
In order to fully remove this infection from your computer system, recommendations are to try the automatic removal guidelines below. They are particularly created in order to assist you separate this malware first of all and after that remove it’s destructive files. If you lack the experience in malware removal, the best method and most reliable one according to safety professionals is to use an innovative anti-malware software program. Such will not just immediately get rid of the Qbot infection from your computer system, yet will certainly additionally ensure that your computer system remains shielded versus future infections.
Martin Beltov
Martin graduated with a degree in Publishing from Sofia University. As a cyber security enthusiast he enjoys writing about the latest threats and mechanisms of intrusion.
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Preparation before removing Qbot Trojan.
Before starting the actual removal process, we recommend that you do the following preparation steps.
- Make sure you have these instructions always open and in front of your eyes.
- Do a backup of all of your files, even if they could be damaged. You should back up your data with a cloud backup solution and insure your files against any type of loss, even from the most severe threats.
- Be patient as this could take a while.
- Scan for Malware
- Fix Registries
- Remove Virus Files
Step 1: Scan for Qbot Trojan with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Clean any registries, created by Qbot Trojan on your computer.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by Qbot Trojan there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.Step 3: Find virus files created by Qbot Trojan on your PC.
1.For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10.
For Newer Windows Operating Systems
1: On your keyboard press + R and write explorer.exe in the Run text box and then click on the Ok button.
2: Click on your PC from the quick access bar. This is usually an icon with a monitor and its name is either “My Computer”, “My PC” or “This PC” or whatever you have named it.
3: Navigate to the search box in the top-right of your PC's screen and type “fileextension:” and after which type the file extension. If you are looking for malicious executables, an example may be "fileextension:exe". After doing that, leave a space and type the file name you believe the malware has created. Here is how it may appear if your file has been found:
N.B. We recommend to wait for the green loading bar in the navigation box to fill up in case the PC is looking for the file and hasn't found it yet.
2.For Windows XP, Vista, and 7.
For Older Windows Operating Systems
In older Windows OS's the conventional approach should be the effective one:
1: Click on the Start Menu icon (usually on your bottom-left) and then choose the Search preference.
2: After the search window appears, choose More Advanced Options from the search assistant box. Another way is by clicking on All Files and Folders.
3: After that type the name of the file you are looking for and click on the Search button. This might take some time after which results will appear. If you have found the malicious file, you may copy or open its location by right-clicking on it.
Now you should be able to discover any file on Windows as long as it is on your hard drive and is not concealed via special software.
Qbot Trojan FAQ
What Does Qbot Trojan Trojan Do?
The Qbot Trojan Trojan is a malicious computer program designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to a computer system. It can be used to steal sensitive data, gain control over a system, or launch other malicious activities.
Can Trojans Steal Passwords?
Yes, Trojans, like Qbot Trojan, can steal passwords. These malicious programs are designed to gain access to a user's computer, spy on victims and steal sensitive information such as banking details and passwords.
Can Qbot Trojan Trojan Hide Itself?
Yes, it can. A Trojan can use various techniques to mask itself, including rootkits, encryption, and obfuscation, to hide from security scanners and evade detection.
Can a Trojan be Removed by Factory Reset?
Yes, a Trojan can be removed by factory resetting your device. This is because it will restore the device to its original state, eliminating any malicious software that may have been installed. Bear in mind that there are more sophisticated Trojans that leave backdoors and reinfect even after a factory reset.
Can Qbot Trojan Trojan Infect WiFi?
Yes, it is possible for a Trojan to infect WiFi networks. When a user connects to the infected network, the Trojan can spread to other connected devices and can access sensitive information on the network.
Can Trojans Be Deleted?
Yes, Trojans can be deleted. This is typically done by running a powerful anti-virus or anti-malware program that is designed to detect and remove malicious files. In some cases, manual deletion of the Trojan may also be necessary.
Can Trojans Steal Files?
Yes, Trojans can steal files if they are installed on a computer. This is done by allowing the malware author or user to gain access to the computer and then steal the files stored on it.
Which Anti-Malware Can Remove Trojans?
Anti-malware programs such as SpyHunter are capable of scanning for and removing Trojans from your computer. It is important to keep your anti-malware up to date and regularly scan your system for any malicious software.
Can Trojans Infect USB?
Yes, Trojans can infect USB devices. USB Trojans typically spread through malicious files downloaded from the internet or shared via email, allowing the hacker to gain access to a user's confidential data.
About the Qbot Trojan Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Qbot Trojan how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific trojan problem.
How did we conduct the research on Qbot Trojan?
Please note that our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware definitions, including the various types of trojans (backdoor, downloader, infostealer, ransom, etc.)
Furthermore, the research behind the Qbot Trojan threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by trojans, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.